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An unrivalled package and amazing location, the Fernie 11 week snowboard instructor course is tough to beat. Join a group of like-minded people for a season in Canada's Powder Capital. With our award winning coaching plus Fernie's amazing terrain and snowfall your riding will be completely transformed.
Hands down, one of the best experiences of my life and all the better for the fact that I came out with a Level 2 qualification. Brilliant.
Elinor Davis
11 Week Instructor Course, Fernie
Everything in Fernie was truly awesome. My technique has progressed so much that it's barely recognisable compared to how I was when I arrived!
Jack Dedman
11 Week Instructor Course, Fernie
Best three months of my life. The instructors on the Nonstop course are without a doubt the best, most friendly instructors I have had.
James Isaac
11 Week Instructor Course, Fernie
Fernie is the ideal place to train as a snowboard instructor. Not only have the best coaches in the industry made it their home but it's unrivalled snow means you'll be riding terrain that you would normally only dream of.
The resort comprises five bowls, with the longest vertical drop in the Canadian Rockies, but it's the massive annual snowfall along with it's the expanse of ungroomed terrain that really sets Fernie apart. You can pick a powder-filled path anywhere within this massive in-bounds area, with a variety of open bowls, tree runs, natural hits and gullies.
We have an amazing team of high level snowboard instructors in Fernie, many of which have been with us since we started back in 2002. They'll spend each week on the slopes with you, and plenty more off it, refining your technique and showing you the very best areas of the mountain.
Of course, we'll also teach you how to pass on your skills to others, in preparation for your CASI Level 1 & 2 instructor qualifications, plus, if you choose to take it, your Level 1 park exam.
The first phase of the course builds to your Level 1, as you work on both your snowboarding and teaching. In the second part, you have the option of training for your Level 2 or following our All Mountain Pro route where your focus is entirely on your own riding and conquering steep and deep. If you are more interested in personal performance than becoming an instructor, the AMP certification is the perfect solution to focus on your freeriding.
Gain your internationally recognised CASI Level 1 & 2 qualifications which set you up for an instructing career. Not everyone comes on a snowboard instructor course to actually become an instructor, and we have the perfect alternative if that's the case.
We are proud to run "Community Days" in Fernie. These allow you to get real hands-on instructing experience at the helm of your own lessons. We give under-privileged locals the opportunity to get free equipment hire, lift passes and instruction for a day. This is an amazing experience to have on your CV, useful when you come to applying for your first snowboard instructor job.
Living in the mountains is an awesome experience and, with a bit of guidance, snowboarding is just the beginning! Included in your package you'll get access to More - a program jammed with over 15 extra training courses and weekend activities.
Build and sleep in your own snow cave, go cat-snowboarding and ride pristine fresh powder all day, or build your own snowboard: just three of the activities on offer. Our local course host will also organise a load of social activities, like trips to watch ice-hockey, playing street hockey or trying out curling, quiz nights and night skiing.
We’ve always strived to offer an authentic seasonnaire experience – the best way to do this is to live like a local in one of our downtown houses. Most of our participants stay in a house – we match likeminded housemates together and set you up with your own home for the winter.
The other option is to stay the Red Tree Lodge. Each winter we reserve a limited number of rooms for our 11 week participants who prefer the hotel-style experience. Whether you’re staying in a house or the lodge, you’ll get to enjoy the awesome range of facilities at the Red Tree: bar, restaurant, hot tub, sauna, movie theatre, games room, board tuning room and much more!
During the 11 week course you will recieve coaching from some of Canada's leading instructor trainers. The weekly schedule varies through the course but typically, coaching sessions are Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri, with Wednesdays and the weekends for free riding, consolidating what you've learnt and the away-trips, activities and additional courses offered on our "More Program". The maximum group size is 8 people per pro but typically they are even smaller.
The package includes the cost of the CASI Level 2 exam. This is unique to Nonstop and saves you almost $600! Please note, if you decide to go down the All Mountain Pro route, the CASI level 2 will not be included but you'll get four additional coaching days instead.
Unique to this course - and essential to your instructor career prospects - is a wealth of work experience. If you are serious about an instructor career then this is one of the most valuable parts of the entire course. There are two formats: 1. Shadowing a local instrutor weekly (after you have obtained your level 1) for a half day session. 2. Taking your own real-life lessons as the lead instructor. Our "Community Days" events, enable you to put your newly aquired level 1 instructor qualification to use and teach local families. It's an amazing experience that will look great on your CV/resume and will help you establish a successful career as an instructor.
Throughout the program our coaches will make the most of technical video analysis to help with your development.
You'll get two 90 minute private coaching sessions during the course, one before your Level 1 and another before your Level 2.
You'll be given an 'Instructor Starter Kit' booklet with a directory of ski school contacts, receive seminars on topics such as life as a ski instructor, job application and interview techniques, and be given constant advice from our coaches. Additionally, job interviews with the local ski school are available.
Throughout the course we run regular technical talks on subjects like biomechanics, looking after your gear, and injury prevention.
Opt for our All Mountain Pro route in the second phase of the course to purely focus on your on snowboarding. If you are more interested in personal performance than becoming an instructor, the AMP certification is the perfect solution to focus on your freeriding.
You'll have the opportunity to gain the following additional qualifications:
You'll be able to get involved with tons of winter activities and experiences during your time with us, from cat skiing to ice hockey. We'll give you $250 worth of credits to use on the activities of your choice.
You'll be given a season lift pass so you can ski as much as you please. Come out early or stay on after, your lift pass will cover you.
Choose to stay in the Red Tree Lodge or go for the authentic seasonaire expereince in houses. Either way you'll have access to all the Red Tree Lodge facilities, including:
You'll be treated to a hearty breakfast at the Red Tree Lodge five days per week. Options include coffee/tea, juices, cereals, toast, pastries, yogurt, fruit, porridge oats, as well as hot items like eggs, beans, sausages, hash browns or bacon.
Enjoy a three course meal at the Red Tree Lodge four evenings a week. A soup and salad buffet will get you started, followed by healthy and filling main courses such as lasagne, curries, roasts etc. before a tasty desert.
We provide airport transfers from and to Calgary airport at set departure times. Ask us for details so you can co-ordinate your flights.
Daily shuttle to and from the slopes.
Your host will ensure your course runs smoothly. They'll be on hand 24/7 for a chat, laugh, or to solve any problems.
Each week your host will organise team socials and après for all the group to get involved in.
Come out before the course begins or stay on at the end. You'll have a season lift pass so it's just a case of booking extra accommodation.
1% of revenues support environmental non-profits, including Protect Our Winters
We make your trip carbon neutral by offsetting emissions we can't reduce, including flights
On behalf of all participants, we offset the measurable carbon emissions of your trip based on the duration, location and type of course, as well as the journey you’re taking to reach your course. Through our partnership with Climate Impact, we contribute to effective carbon reduction projects.
These things are not included in the package:
In brief, here’s why our Fernie 11-week course remains the unrivalled leading instructor course in Canada:
Snow: Fernie is famed for getting the deepest and lightest powder each winter. Fernie will make you a better off-piste rider and you’ll have way more fun.
Terrain: Great snow is only as useful as the quality of the slopes it falls on and Fernie is unrivalled in this aspect; it’s a huge off-piste playground complemented by wide groomed pistes.
Scene: Fernie is a super cool, lively-but-not-spoilt-by-tourism, community of snowboarders who have searched and found the best riding and snow in Canada. Incredibly friendly, you’ll soon find yourself saying hi to strangers and walking around your new home with a permanent grin.
Coaching: With 17 years of experience, and over 40 11-week courses under our belt, we’ve delivered more instructor training than anyone else. Our snowboard coaches are the best in the business and will completely transform your riding.
Social: When 70 passionate instructor trainees from all over the globe come together to spend a winter in Fernie, the friendships and shared experiences are nothing short of epic. We guarantee that some of your life’s best memories will be made in Fernie.
Extras: With Nonstop, it’s not all about the coaching: we put a huge emphasis on enjoying as many Canadian mountain experiences as possible and organise a massive program of activities, away-trips, courses and socials to make this the richest, most enjoyable, winter possible.
Accommodation: Uniquely, we own our own 43-bedroom lodge designed specifically for Nonstop clients, with amazing facilities. Alternatively, we have the option in staying in houses like a true local (with your coursemates)
Meals: Again, unlike any other training company, we own and run a restaurant with an awesome team of chefs and a delicious and nutritious menu designed for our hungry skiers. With complete control over the meals, we’re confident our meals are the best available on any snowboard instructor course.
Reassurance: Choosing to take an instructor course is a massive investment. We not only have unrivalled experience built over nearly two decades, but our clients have shown their appreciation by voting us to victory in three consecutive “World Snow Awards”.
Skiers & snowboarders fall in love with Fernie because of the combination of awesome snow & incredible terrain. Choosing a resort with challenging terrain is so important, because you’ll only ever progress as far as the terrain you’re skiing / riding. Rest assured you’ll push yourself to the limit in Fernie. Off the snow, Fernie is a super friendly town with a chilled-out vibe, yet there’s an awesome nightlife for anyone that’s so inclined. Get in touch to learn more!
We cater for a really broad range of skiers / snowboarders on our course in Fernie and the advantage of this being the most popular instructor course in Canada is that we can have several snowboard groups all catered to a specific ability & confidence level. Generally, we cater from early intermediates right through to experts. If you have any doubts about your ability, you can always join us for some coaching beforehand to boost your skills and confidence. Get in touch to learn more.
One of the best things about our course in Fernie is the range of people we get involved. With around 70 participants on the course each winter, you can be confident of finding likeminded people, as well as meeting others you wouldn’t necessarily have met! The recommended minimum age is 18; however, we are open to mature & independent 17-year-olds. There is no upper age limit; as long as you consider yourself fit enough to ski most days for 77 days! The average age on our course in Fernie is 24, but each season we have people from almost every stage of life.
We provide inclusive airport transfers at set departure times from Calgary airport; these are available on the advertised start & end date of the course. For those that want to arrive early, we have a transfer available 1 week before; likewise, for anyone wanting to stick around in Fernie after the course, we have an option 1 week later. Full details are provided so you know all your options.
During the course we host a seminar that will help prepare you for work in the industry. Towards the end of the course, there is the the opportunity to take advantage of an interview with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (who own several ski resorts) if you have applied for your work visa. Beyond the course, we’re always on hand to offer support on applications and we’re regularly contacted by snow schools looking for new recruits each winter.
We do not recommend this, and we don’t have any examples of past clients who have managed it. In other words, no! This experience should be treated as a once in a lifetime winter to purely focus on your skiing / riding & having as much fun as possible. You would need a working holiday visa in order to work – most people only ever get to have one of these (lasting for two years), so you should save yours for when you may be working as an instructor in the future.
As a ballpark figure, we suggest having a budget of $200 - $250 per week to cover your spending money. By preparing packed lunches for the mountain and cooking your own meals at the weekends, you can certainly make your budget go further. Between coaching 4-days per week, free skiing & the activities available on the MORE programme, we keep you busy. For many people, how much they spend will really come down to night time habits.
We look forward to speaking with you.
Course Guide
